ARE MOST OF US DEFICIENT IN VITAMIN D3 &
DOES IT MATTER?
Yes! D3 is critical to immune, bone & joint health yet we rarely get
enough of this crucial vitamin because very few foods, outside of fatty
fish, naturally contain Vitamin D & D3. Sun exposure is the main source of
vitamin D production, yet in overcast climates it's almost impossible to
obtain the proper amount. Over acidity (pH imbalance) can cause leaching
of calcium from bones. When calcium levels are low (often due to
insufficient D3) the body produces PTH (parathyroid hormone). This hormone
initiates the removal of calcium from the bones, to be used in more
important functions including neutralizing body acidity. Organic
bio-available D3 (in conjunction with our Calcium) is essential to drive
calcium into the bones, promote normal bone growth & maintain density.
Vitamin D is necessary to increase re-absorption of calcium & phosphorous
(even adding calcium around damaged joints in people who suffer with gout
or rheumatoid arthritis). Scientific evidence supports vitamin D3 plays an
important role in controlling various autoimmune disorders. Studies show a
high prevalence of MS in areas of the world that receive a low amount of
sunlight (usually linked to vitamin D3 deficiency).

What is Vitamin D/D3 and why are we deficient?
Vitamin D/D3 is critical to overall bone and joint health. Very few foods
naturally contain Vitamin D. Fatty fish such as salmon and cod are good
sources. The main source of vitamin D is the sun, which is possible if an
individual lives in a sunny climate and spends a reasonable amount of time
in the sun consistently. Colder climates, or areas where being overcast is
more likely, it is almost impossible to average the amount of Vitamin D/D3
required.

pH Imbalance, i.e., over acidity may cause you to leach calcium from your
bones: Calcium carries a 12 pH and is used by the body to neutralize body
acidity, i.e., your body may leach calcium from your bones to neutralize
either existing acidity or incoming acidity. When calcium levels are low
(which may be due to insufficient vitamin D(3) and calcium/magnesium/boron
intake or availability), the body activates the parathyroid gland, which
produces PTH (parathyroid hormone), activating the parathyroid gland,
which produces PTH (parathyroid hormone). This hormone initiates Vitamin D
hormone production and assists removal of calcium from the bones to be
used in more important functions such as neutralizing body acidity.

Bio available Vitamin D3 (in conjunction with Calcium) is essential to
utilize calcium and phosphorus (drive calcium to the bone), for normal
bone growth, development and to maintain bone density. Vitamin D acts as a
hormone and increases re-absorption of calcium and phosphorous by the
kidneys and may increase calcium around damaged joints in persons with
gout and/or rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D3 has been used in conjunction
with treatment, to prevent and treat a variety of disease. Scientific
evidence supports that Vitamin D likely plays an important role in
controlling various auto immune type disorders.

Bone Growth & Development: Vitamin D (with our Essante Calcium) is
essential for normal bone growth and development, and to maintain bone
density. It is also necessary for utilization of both calcium and
phosphorus. Again, Vitamin D acts as a hormone and increases re-absorption
of calcium and phosphorus by the kidneys and increased bone turnover.
Vitamin D may also increase the availability of calcium around damaged
joints in persons with gout and rheumatoid arthritis.

WHAT DOES VITAMIN D DO?

Vitamin D is essential for normal bone growth and development, and to
maintain bone density. It is also necessary for utilization of both
calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D acts as a hormone and increases
re-absorption of calcium and phosphorus by the kidneys and increased bone
turnover. Vitamin D may also increase the calcium around damaged joints in
persons with gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D3 has been used to
prevent and treat various cancers, including breast and prostate.
Scientific evidence supports the concept that vitamin D likely plays an
important role in controlling auto-immunity and MS.

VITAMIN D AND CHRONIC DISEASE

Studies done by P. Goldberg in 1974 show that the conspicuous high
prevalence of MS in areas of the world that receive a relatively low
amount of sunlight may indeed be linked to vitamin D deficiency. In the
early 80s, science recognized that immune cells carry a receptor for the
active hormone of vitamin D and that this hormone likely regulates immune
functions. This led to ongoing research efforts which continue to uncover
a number of important ways in which vitamin D hormone affects the immune
system, and subsequent studies show that injections of vitamin D hormone
could protect against or arrest MS, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,
and lupus. Other studies done in 1999 confirmed that supplementation with
vitamin D was associated with a decreased risk of type 1 diabetes.

WHO NEEDS VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION?

People with adequate access to sunlight usually do not need dietary
vitamin D because ultraviolet light converts 7-dehydrocholesterol
(abundant in skin) to vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). A dominance of indoor
jobs, fears of skin cancer and the use of sunscreens have reduced exposure
times to sunlight such that, even in summer, many people do not get
anywhere near the required vitamin D intake from sunlight. Chronic vitamin
D deficiency exists in populations which live in low sunlight climates.

Because the use of steroidal drugs (in MS treatment) depletes vitamin D
supplies and inhibits absorption, supplementation is quite beneficial.
Anyone suffering from immune or autoimmune disorders can benefit from
vitamin D supplementation.

Testing done (1992-1998) have revealed the following immune-regulating
actions for vitamin D hormone:

*suppresses antibody production by B cells and the proliferation of T
cells in the thymus.

*upregulates cytokines TGF-beta and IL-4, proteins which are produced by
immune cells and act as suppressants of inflammatory T cells.

*reduced inflammatory reactions.

*inhibits the production of NO (nitric oxide) by immune cells. NO has been
identified as one of the most destructive products of the immune system.

*Inhibits proliferation of activated and memory T cells, which are the
main mediators of the inflammatory autoimmune reactions of MS.

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children, exacerbates osteoporosis
and causes osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D must be taken with adequate
amounts of both calcium and magnesium supplementation. When calcium levels
are low (due to insufficient vitamin D and calcium intake), the body
activates the parathyroid gland, which produces PTH (parathyroid hormone).
This hormone kick starts vitamin D hormone production and assists removal
of calcium from the bones to be used in more important functions such as
neutralizing body acidity.

NATURAL SOURCES OF VITAMIN D

Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Fatty fish such as salmon and
cod, vitamin D-fortified milk, cereals, and multivitamin supplements are
the major sources of vitamin D. The main source of vitamin D is the sun
and in hot climates such an intake is readily possible if an individual
spends a reasonable amount of time in the sun. However, in colder
climates, like those of Canada, northern USA and northwest Europe, it is
almost impossible to average 4,000 IU per day because for at least six
months of the year, intake from the sun is negligible at best. Even during
the few hot summer months, an individual would have to spend considerable
time in the sun to achieve the required intake.

DIETARY FACTORS THAT AFFECT VITAMIN D LEVELS

Original man's diet was dominated by fruits, vegetables, and lean wild
meats which have a low saturated fat content. The main foods introduced by
agriculture are grains, dairy products, and meat from domesticated animals
which has a very high saturated fat content.

Grains contain phytate or phytic acid, which counters the action of
vitamin D. The only common grain with a very low phytate content is rice.

In 1991, studies showed that part of the bovine albumin protein or milk is
a molecular mimic of the vitamin D receptor. An immune reaction against
that milk protein can potentially result in an autoimmune reaction against
the vitamin D receptor, which would significantly lower the effectiveness
of vitamin D hormone to bind with a variety of cells, including immune
cells.

Proteins from various foods introduced by the agricultural revolution
(gluten, dairy, legumes) result in autoimmune reactions by increasing
intestinal permeability and by mimicking infectious and self-antigens. The
great increase in the consumption of saturated fat also contributes to an
increase in inflammatory reactions. Food-driven autoimmune reactions occur
almost on a daily basis. They have a significant cumulative effect and
result in harmless auto-immunity becoming problematic autoimmune disease
in genetically susceptible people.

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